AFSC Regional Director, Africa in Nairobi Kenya
The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.
TITLE: Regional Director, Africa
STATUS: Full-Time
SUPERVISOR: Associate General Secretary for International Programs
REGION/UNIT: Programs Division
LOCATION: Nairobi, Kenya
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Regional Director for Africa provides strategic and creative leadership in the region. The Regional Director works with staff to give regional and local expression to broader organizational goals and is accountable for the implementation of the strategic plan of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). The Regional Director is the primary spokesperson for the region, interpreting its programs and communicating the principles expressed by the work of the AFSC. She/he participates in AFSC-wide staff groups to help ensure organization-wide coherence, collaboration and program excellence. She/he provides guidance and support to the International Programs Executive Committee on regional matters and programs, and implements decisions, consistent with AFSC board policy. The Regional Director is responsible for the stewardship of the AFSC’s financial, material, and human resources in accordance with the organization’s mission and values, including staff development and supervision, delegating to members of the regional team as needed, compliance to AFSC policies, and program growth.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities: The key responsibilities of the Africa Regional Director include the following:
/Program Leadership, Planning and Direction/
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- Provide leadership and program vision; oversee the planning, development and implementation of AFSC’s work in Africa, ensuring program quality, impact, and coherence with AFSC values, principles, and the organizational and regional strategic plans.
- Lead program development and support, working with staff members to ensure that all projects and programs are of high quality and effectiveness, and are focused on the mission, goals and objectives of the AFSC.
- Foster staff understanding and competency in program-based planning (to include defining strategies, monitoring progress and evaluating and reporting) for the implementation of the strategic plan of the organization within resource constraints.
- Participate in AFSC-wide leadership groups, communicating regional realities and perspectives to colleagues, engaging in program consultation and decision-making at an organization-wide level, and conveying those perspectives and decisions to regional staff and committees.
- Encourage and facilitate intra- and inter-regional program collaboration aimed at higher-level program impact.
- Provide leadership and guide the policy, advocacy and education priorities and strategies of the AFSC in the U.S. related to countries in the region.
- Provide information and analysis on regional and country specific issues as well as other program related information to the International Programs Executive Committee in support of its governance role in program choice, public policy positions, finances, budgets, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Visit project offices within the region regularly and as required.
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/Staff Management, Development and Support/
- Maintain the legal standing of the AFSC in each country where there are programs. Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations governing AFSC operations.
- Cultivate a work environment that attracts and maintains a diverse and highly motivated staff.
- Promote teamwork, common purpose, and continuous professional growth.
- Delegate administrative and program responsibilities to staff as appropriate.
- Responsible for recommending the hiring and termination of regional staff members and consultants as guided by organizational policies and processes.
- Ensure effective regional staff intake, orientation and training.
- Ensure that staff members set clear, results-oriented goals for their work; these should include objectives, strategies, work plans and financial projections to accomplish goals; conduct annual performance reviews based on these objectives.
- Ensure that consultative decision processes are used in the region
- Ensure that regional staff members follow all AFSC policies and procedures.
- Ensure that each program location has an up-to-date security plan and manage all security issues, including emergency situations as they arise. Make recommendations to the associate general secretary regarding emergency responses as appropriate.
/Affirmative Action/
- Work in consultation with the staff of the Human Resources and Inclusion Department, and other staff as appropriate, to determine and apply regionally, and country specific relevant affirmative action policies to regional staffing, administrative functioning and program within the region.
- Work with the associate general secretary to ensure that all AFSC program locations apply AA policies as appropriate and relevant in the local context.
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/Financial Management/
- Manage the regional budget. This includes preparing an annual budget as part of the program-based planning process, monitoring the approved budget, and taking appropriate necessary action to meet budget requirements.
- Ensure regional compliance with AFSC financial policies, procedures, and directives.
- Ensure good stewardship of AFSC facilities, equipment and other assets.
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/Fund raising/
- Collaborate with Development staff to create and implement regional fund-raising strategies, plans and goals.
- In partnership with Development staff, seek grant funding and collaborate in major donor identification, cultivation and solicitation as appropriate.
- Ensure regional compliance with organizational grant guidelines and standards, and be accountable for regional grant management and compliance.
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/Outreach and Communications/
- Maintain appropriate institutional relations with governments, local partner organizations, and other international bodies, seeking to promote and enhance partnerships and collaboration.
- Where possible, maintain frequent contact with the Religious Society of Friends in the region and coordinate with other Quaker organizations working or having interest in the region.
- Function as the chief spokesperson for the region, representing the viewpoints of the AFSC to all constituents and media outlets.
- Collaborate with the AFSC Communication Department to develop and sustain a media strategy appropriate to regional programs and current events.
- Ensure that all public communications originating from staff and volunteers in the region, including Web and social media, are accurate and in accord with AFSC policies and procedures.
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/Collaboration/
- Actively seek opportunities to collaborate with organizations, professional groups, institutions, etc. that will expand the reach and maximize the effectiveness of the AFSC.
- Encourage collaboration among staff members and across regions of the AFSC for the sharing of analysis, strategies, methods and opportunities for joint programs.
Minimum Qualifications
*Education: *Master’s degree in related field or equivalent experience; advanced degree in international studies, non-profit management, or peace studies is desirable.
Experience:
- At least 10 years working experience with an international organization managing complex programs, including program planning and administration, evaluation, proposal writing and fundraising, managing budgets and accounts, staff supervision and training. Experience in more than one country required; minimum of 4 years of experience in Africa required.
- At least 4 years’ experience in a senior management position with oversight of staff, budgets, fundraising and representation; at least 5 years of practical experience in program planning and implementation with demonstrated knowledge of participatory consultative methodologies and strategies.
- Demonstrated experience in staff and work team supervision and development, including use of coaching and mentoring techniques.
- Demonstrated experience in advocacy work and knowledge of US culture and political system.
Other Required Skills and Abilities
- Commitment to and ability to represent the faith-based principles and guidelines that define the work of AFSC, including a commitment to peace and social justice and a belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
- A broad understanding of national and international social, political and economic issues.
- Required experience with peace building and conflict transformation programs and nonviolent approaches to problem solving highly desirable.
- Compatibility with AFSC’s approach to grassroots organizing, and strategies for strengthening community-based capacities and efforts toward peace, social and economic justice.
- Demonstrated ability to connect with diverse audiences and to influence situations using tact and diplomacy; ability to persuade and motivate others.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively remotely from Central Office, while participating in a highly consultative process for decision making. Ability to set priorities and to meet deadlines. Ability to work under pressure in the social, political, and physical environments in Africa. Ability to delegate and work with a team.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with knowledge of and experience in using consultative decision-making processes; experience working under pressure and adapting to changing situations and priorities.
- Experience working collaboratively with individuals, groups and organizations.
- Ability to travel frequently and to work some weekends.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in speech and in writing. Fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of Portuguese or French a particular asset. Computer skills (PC/Windows), particularly in word processing, spreadsheet and database applications (MS Office), and e-mail.
- Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
Compensation: AFSC provides a maintenance package which includes in-field, ongoing, vacation, savings, and new personnel allowances. Benefits include life insurance and health and dental coverage. Work related travel costs are covered. Details are available.
The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious, affiliation, nationality, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.
The central office of the AFSC and some offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This is a management position and is not represented.
The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.
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